Man, 78, fatally shot by police in confrontation

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Officials said a 78-year-old man is dead after an East Millinocket police officer shot him during an armed confrontation.

Tim Feeley of the state attorney general’s office said Robert Bellfleur of Grindstone was shot Saturday night by officer Seth Burns. Feeley said Burns and a Penobscot County Sheriff’s deputy were called to a Frazier Road home by Bellfleur’s neighbors who reported he was harassing them. Feeley said Bellfleur went back to his house as he was ordered, but returned with a shotgun and engaged in an armed confrontation with the officers. That was when Burns shot Bellfleur, who died at the scene. An investigation is underway by the attorney general’s office, which is required to investigate all police shootings. An autopsy is expected Monday.